Life Exhausted at a South Wales beach

Newgale Beach, Pembrokeshire - On the surface, a vast playtime beach, powerful surf, acres of space, stunning surrounding countryside and an area monitored by the Marine Conservation Society. Yet just around the coast to the left is the huge port of Milford Haven. Oil tankers sit at anchor awaiting passage into the port. The beach is littered with oil, huge dollops of the treacle black mess almost every few feet of the beach.

"Life Exhausted", Pembrokeshire © Glyn Davies 2011

Two Gannets maybe one hundred yards apart lie dead amongst oily pebbles. The MCS poster advises not to be concerned about individual dead sea-birds, and only to report large numbers if found, but there was something unsettling about finding two dead gannets so close to each other on this stunningly beautiful, yet oil spattered shoreline.

"Dead Gannet 1, Newgale Beach", Pembrokeshire © Glyn Davies 2011

Was I just unlucky that day ? Were the two Gannets also just unlucky? I always get shocked when I stumble across this sort of find, and I keep hoping it's just a natural process, co-incidence perhaps, but the sheer number of patches of oil and tar lead me to think there are other factors here ?

"Dead Gannet 2 Newgale Beach", Pembrokeshire © Glyn Davies 2011

I'd love to hear from someone with local knowledge of this area, to re-assure me that this gorgeous looking beach and even more gorgeous wildlife is normally clean and fine ?

Copyright © Glyn Davies 2011 - All rights reserved.
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